ISCVE President Jim Smith and Early Careers Committee Member Alex Krasnic recently attended the Production Futures networking event at the AO Arena in Manchester, connecting with the next generation of production and live events professionals.

The event, designed to give students and young people a taste of careers behind the scenes, was packed with energy and ISCVE was there to show support, offer guidance, and champion the value of technical roles in sound, communications, and event production.

Throughout the day, students engaged with talks and presentations from industry insiders, including Joe Chilvers from The Production Department, who shared practical tips and behind-the-scenes insights into working in live events. A popular live talk show hosted by BBC professionals Sadie Jacques, Solmaz Aslan and Lucy H. gave attendees a glimpse into life at one of the UK’s leading broadcasters.

Feedback from students was overwhelmingly positive, with many highlighting how beneficial it was to speak directly with employers and hear real-world advice:

“It has been really interesting to talk with different people from different sectors and affiliations,” shared one attendee. “I’ve made connections with companies like Adlib Live Events, Showsec, The Gallowglass Group, and the AO Arena crew — and even received offers of part-time work and placement recommendations.”

Alex Krasnic, Early Careers Committee Member at ISCVE, said:

“It was fantastic to attend Production Futures and be part of the conversation around career pathways in our industry. There was a real buzz around the arena — students were full of questions and energy, and it was great to see them engaging so openly with professionals and employers. I’m proud to represent ISCVE and support these kinds of opportunities for the next wave of talent.”

ISCVE’s presence at the event is part of its wider commitment to supporting early careers and helping young people find their place in the industry. President Jim Smith added:

“It’s incredibly valuable for us to be visible at events like this — not only to support students and graduates as they navigate their career paths, but also to make sure they know ISCVE is here to back them with training, resources and community.”

It is inspiring to see Early Careers Committee Members like Alex actively engaging with future talent and helping bridge the gap between education and industry. A big thank you to Production Futures for creating such a successful event — we are looking forward to seeing how these new connections and conversations grow into real opportunities.

Find out more here:

productionfutures.com